At the age of 66, while traveling with her sister in South Africa, Gerda passed into glory on Saturday, September 8, 2018, after suffering a massive heart attack. She was the glue that held the Brouwer family together across Canada, the United States, the Netherlands and South Africa. Gerda received her B.A. degree from Calvin College where she was a field hockey athlete. She returned to Canada to teach Physical Education at Beacon Christian High School and St. Catharines became her home. Her interest in Christian education continued, even after she changed careers from teaching to bookkeeping and accounting, keeping meticulous records for many organizations. Gerda was the adored aunt in the Brouwer family; she could relate to all, young and old. She relished her time with family and friends and always had a warm welcome among family at Christmas, in Florida, in Michigan and with other extended family and friends.
Gerda was preceded in death by her parents Gerrit and Ida Brouwer, as well as her brother Ted Brouwer and her brother-in-law Dennis DeVries. She is survived by her siblings: Kay DeVries, Jane and Ted Groenewegen, Phil and Teuni Brouwer, Elsie and John Boersma, and Irene and Roger Konyndyk. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as her dear friends and colleagues.
The family gives special thanks to Dr. James Potts, her cardiologist in Port Elizabeth, S. Africa.
Friends will be received at the Covenant CRC at 278 Parnell Rd. St. Catharines Ont. on Tuesday September 18 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. There will be a Memorial Service at Covenant CRC on Wednesday September 19 at 2 PM. Rev. Jim Dekker officiating. A private family burial will be held at White Chapel Memorial Gardens on Thursday morning at 10 am. Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Christian School Foundation are appreciated.
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